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Terror Networks
Five Abu Sayyaf depart gene pool
2002-03-23
  • Five Abu Sayyaf thugs were iced and several others wounded as Philippine troops closed in on the kidnap-for-ransom group. The clash in Basilan took place as the military stepped up their pursuit for American missionary couple Martin and Gracia Burnham and Filipina nurse Ediborah Yap who have been held by the gunmen since May. Elite scout rangers slipped into Abu Sayyaf territory in Lantawan town, sparking the battle which left five guerrillas dead and several wounded. None of the 660 US Special Force soldiers advising Philippine troops on anti-terrorist strategy were involved in the clash.

    A woman, possibly a hostage, was spotted among the Abu Sayyaf as they fled. The sighting of the woman and the discovery on Friday of a woman's personal effects left behind by a fleeing band of Abu Sayyaf, has raised hopes that the military may be close to cornering the group holding the three captives.
    This is as it should be. The PI troops are perfectly capable of controlling the Bad Guys, given a bit more modern equipment than what they've been using and commanders who aren't somebody's cousin who needed a job. They can probably teach our SF guys some lessons in actual tactics -- they've got a lot of first-hand experience.
    • Posted by:Fred Pruitt

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